The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John F. Arps, Jr. (ASN: 0-1508582), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 7 July 1944. Lieutenant Arps, while within 150 yards of the entrenched enemy front line, and under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, supported the advance of his platoon by standing up and firing a light machine gun from his hip. This fire prevented the enemy from firing on his men as they advanced and enabled them to close with the enemy. Later the same day, while under hostile rifle fire, he successfully evacuated five of our casualties from within a hundred yards of the enemy lines. Second Lieutenant Arps’ gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.